Gregory's absence means a larger role for rookie Tavon Wilson who's been challenging for more playing time. In each of the past two weeks, both Gregory and Patrick Chung were at less than their best in pass defense. With a quarterback as experienced as Peyton Manning on the other side, Wilson could be a target on Sunday.

The Patriots also listed 12 players as questionable for Sunday. Among them is tight end Aaron Hernandez who hurt his ankle at the start of the Week 2 game against the Cardinals. Sources say Hernandez is unlikely to play even though he participated in practice on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday.

More importantly around here, the Patriots now are in position to win out and claim the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

Prior to the Raiders loss, Oakland would have been the top seed if both they and the Patriots won out. Now, the 10-2 Patriots have a leg up on the rest of the conference. The Raiders’ road stays tough. They are at San Diego and Denver and host the Colts.

The Chiefs have a more favorable close to the season with home games against Tennessee and Denver before their season finale at San Diego.

The Patriots’ road over the final four is no picnic though, beginning with the Ravens and at Denver before the last two hosting the Jets and traveling to Miami.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Chiefs top Raiders 21-13, take AFC West lead

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Chiefs top Raiders 21-13, take AFC West lead

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Tyreek Hill had touchdowns receiving and on a punt return, Kansas City's defense made life miserable for Oakland quarterback Derek Carr, and the Chiefs beat the Raiders 21-13 on a frigid Thursday night to take control of the AFC West.

Charcandrick West also had a touchdown run for the Chiefs (10-3). They moved into a first-place tie with Oakland (10-3) but holds the tiebreaker with two wins over their longtime divisional rival.